It's long been known that colors make a difference in people's moods and perhaps even how they behave. The colors people wear even affect how they are perceived by others. It makes sense that color may have similar effects on student behavior or achievement. It's highly possible that the colors a classroom is painted, or colors around the room, could affect students' attitudes and achievements.

Red for Accuracy

Researchers at the University of British Columbia studied how well 600 people performed cognitive tasks such as spelling, punctuation and word recall when words or images were displayed against different colored backgrounds. They found that people answered with greater accuracy when the background was red. They theorized that red can signal danger, making students pay more attention to detail However, red can also make people more cautious. The researchers noted that when students were shown a red test cover before an IQ test, they scored lower than students who were shown a green or neutral cover. The students shown the red cover also showed an abundance of caution by choosing the easier questions to answer.

Blue for Creativity

The same study from the University of British Columbia found that blue brought out students' creativity. They scored higher on tasks where they were asked to create toys from shapes or to invent new uses for items. Blue elicits a positive, calming emotional response, making people happier. A blue room would be a good location for a creative brainstorming session, the researchers concluded.

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Intensity Matters

Darker, deeper, more intense colors elicit stronger reactions. This may partly explain why red creates such a strong reaction while blue allows people to relax. The blues used were the color of the ocean and sky rather than navy or stormy blue. The results were more conclusive when the color was painted on the walls of the room, compared with only spot color.

Paper Color

Another study, conducted at James Madison University in Virginia, examined whether using different colors of paper affected students' test scores. Teachers often use different colors and versions of tests to combat cheating, a practice that could be unfair if the color of a student's test paper affected the performance. Researchers studied over 4,000 accounting students during a 10-year period, using test paper in white and pastel shades of pink, blue, yellow and green. They found that students with white or yellow tests scored significantly better than those with blue or pink tests, while students with green tests scored in the middle.

Color Psychology

Color consultants recommend painting rooms red or orange to stimulate conversation. Blues, greens and lavender are good for creating calm environments. Green is especially good for promoting concentration over a long period -- where red might be too stimulating -- so greens are often chosen for office environments.

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About the Author

Barbara Bean-Mellinger is an award-winning writer in the Washington, DC area. She writes nationally for newspapers, magazines and websites on topics including careers, education, women, marketing, advertising and more. She holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Pittsburgh.